Meet the Lions!
Celebrating Anniversaries
Shaylyn Reiger, Senior Member Services Representative, 5 years
Here are some fun facts about Shaylyn.
- What’s the best thing to do on a day off?
Waking up early & spending the day at the beach! - What are some of your personal hobbies?I like being in/on/around the ocean, cooking, adventuring/traveling & enjoying everyday life with my Husband and loved ones.
- If you could be any animal what would you be?
I always said I would want to be a Nai’a so I can play all day in the waves but if my wish was misunderstood and I became a Mynah that would be fine too, since they are social birds who travel in pairs and they gather in noisy flocks. LOL! - First concert you ever attended?
Aside from local concerts, my first big concert I attended was Sir Elton John at the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace! - What if your favorite local dish?
Fried Fish and Poi
Chelsea Moe, Project Coordinator, 5 years
Here are some fun facts about Chelsea.
- What’s the best thing to do on a day off?
On my days off, I appreciate being home where I can relax and spend time with my family. - What snack can you not live without?I scream, you scream, well scream for Ice Cream! It’s definitely my go to for any and all snacking needs
- Who’s your personal hero or someone you look up to?
I grew up seeing how hard my Mom worked in the field and at home. She may not know it, but I have looked up to her my whole life. I adore her for who she is on the inside and how beautiful that makes her all the way around. Without a doubt, she is my very own superhero and someone I truly look up to. - What do you love about working at Hawaii First?
Hawaii First as a whole, cares for our Members and employees. They also truly embody Family FIRST and because of this, I can put my 100% into the work I do. - What are 3 items on your bucket list?
I actually selected 4 because I like even numbers, but here are my top 4 bucket list must-haves: Travel with my Husband (on a 6-month adventure around the world), “FIRE” (Financial Independence & Retire Early), Watch a Football Game where my son is playing, Be able to see my daughter walk down the aisle
Laura Aguirre, Kamuela Branch President/CEO, 30 years
Here’s some fun facts about Laura.
- Favorite movie?
A Dog’s Purpose “Be here now” - Favorite place to travel?Australia! Climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge in 2017. So many beautiful waterways for commuting by ferry, lots of parks right in the heart of the city and best of all an awesome zoo on a cliff overlooking the Sydney Opera House. Everywhere, you hear different languages being spoken, it is such a melting pot of people from all over the world.
- Tell Us About Your Family!
Happily married 35 yrs, a step-mom to 3 daughters, an adoptive mom to 2 sons who are local boys and a daughter who is from Guatemala. A foster mom to 2 grandchildren who are 3 & 4yrs old. A fur baby mom to 3 adorable pups, Kismit, Perchance and Chase. - Favorite Music?
Country, favorite song, I Hope You Dance. - What are your pet peeves?
Rudeness…Kindness Matters! - Why do you love working at Hawaii First?
Providing hope in our community. Our team of lions who always go above and beyond for others. - What are 3 items on your bucket list?1. Walk the Europaweg Skywalk – the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Switzerland.2. A Family Disney World Cruise – Post Pandemic3. Family trip to Butchart Gardens in Canada
- Who was your first concert?
Kool & the Gang
Bertil Long, 25 Years as a Board Member
“From the bottom of our hearts, we want to express our aloha and gratitude to Bertil! We are so grateful for your 25 years of service and dedication to the Hawaii First FCU Board of Directors, our members, and our community!”
Meet the Lions!
New to the Crew
Jean Tongpalan, Loan Processor
Interesting facts about Jean:
- What snack can you not live without?
- Spicy anything
- What’s the best thing to do on a day off?
- Roll with a non-scheduled schedule, sleep in and conquer tasks to your desire.
- What are some of your personal goals and hobbies?
- Weight loss – in many aspects. (i.e. physically, debt)
- Tell us about your family, including pets!
- My Ohana, they are my purpose and motivation to never give-up. Here they are:
(1) nonchalant, happy, cute-ness over load grand-daughter
(1) super needy, overly excited grand-dog
(1) son with all shades of aloha and humor
(1) daughter with a personality that makes you wonder at times.
- My Ohana, they are my purpose and motivation to never give-up. Here they are:
- What’s your go to music in the car?
- K-love
Aloma Bell-Kaopuiki, Member Services Representative
Interesting facts about Aloma:
- What is the best thing to do on a day off?
- The best thing to do on a day off is to spend it with those you love. Good company make a good day happen. Whether it is staying in on a rainy day to watch a good movie and enjoy a big cup of hot chocolate or enjoying the sun at the beach. I do enjoy shooting the cruise, which is always fun with company or just alone for self-meditation.
- What are some of your personal goals and hobbies?
- Some of my personal goals are being more financially stable. Meaning that I would love to buy my own place someday. A home I can call and make my own. That is a long-term dream of mines and I hope to one day achieve. Another goal would still to be more active. I used to run and go to the gym, but not as often anymore. That is something I would like to keep working on. Another big goal of mine is to start being more positive and centered with my mind and heart. Positive self-talk, no doubting, not letting the stressful moments in life distract me from my goal or of being happy. And lastly, to stay hydrated! Drinking lots of water at work is one of my goals and I shall continue to do so even when it sends me to the restroom every 15 minutes or so.
Some of my hobbies are writing, dancing, and learning new things. I loved writing since I was a kid, it has given me decent penmanship even though I would be writing random things. I usually get compliments of my handwriting, although I have seen better. I enjoy dancing, I grew up dancing Hula and it was passed down from my mom. Although, I have not danced hula in a long time, and I do miss it. But I also do small “happy dances” when I enjoy good food or just listening to music while I am cleaning. I do enjoy learning new things. There is an endless list of things to learn from and I love keeping an open mind whenever someone shares with me a piece of information or just watching a documentary. Keeping an active mind leads to a knowledgeable life.
- Some of my personal goals are being more financially stable. Meaning that I would love to buy my own place someday. A home I can call and make my own. That is a long-term dream of mines and I hope to one day achieve. Another goal would still to be more active. I used to run and go to the gym, but not as often anymore. That is something I would like to keep working on. Another big goal of mine is to start being more positive and centered with my mind and heart. Positive self-talk, no doubting, not letting the stressful moments in life distract me from my goal or of being happy. And lastly, to stay hydrated! Drinking lots of water at work is one of my goals and I shall continue to do so even when it sends me to the restroom every 15 minutes or so.
- What’s your go to music in the car?
- I love all types of music! Thanks to my parents. They have instilled in me a love for music like Shania Twain, Sam Cooke, Linda Ronstadt, Darren Benitez, Dennis Pavao and many more! The list goes on, and I may even listen to all on my long car rides to Kona or Hilo. Depends on what I feel like listening to. But I am currently listening to Christmas music, since it is that time of year. My favorite holiday! I have my Pandora playing the Country Christmas station.
- What do you love about working at Hawaii First?
- What do I love about working at Hawaii First? I would say that I do love being a part of a team that cares for each other as family. Teamwork makes the dream work, and this is the best team yet! I also enjoy giving back to my community and being a part of Hawaii First allows me to do so for the members near and far. It is a great feeling.
- What are 3 items on your bucket list?
- Three items on my bucket list are to get a tattoo, to visit New Zealand, and to learn Sign Language. These are just a random three that I have chosen from my bucket list, and I hope to achieve as much as possible one day.
Trinity Spencer, Member Services Representative
Interesting facts about Trinity:
- What’s your go to music in the car?
- On my car ride home, my go to would definitely be Country.
- What are 3 items on your bucket list?
- Get my bachelors
- Visit Indonesia
- Start my family (eventually)
- First concert you ever attended?
- Maoli
- What is your favorite local dish?
- My favorite local dish would either be luau stew or poke.
- What do you love about working at Hawaii First?
- I love being able to make a difference in members’ lives and seeing the smile on their faces when they leave. I also really like my coworkers LOL
Mikelah Hanohano, Member Services Representative
Interesting Things About Mikelah:
- What’s your favorite movie?
- My favorite show is Yellowstone.
- What are some of your personal goals and hobbies?
- A personal goal of mine is to purchase and own a piece of land and build a home someday.
- What’s a personal pet peeve?
- My biggest pet peeve is when people don’t put a new roll of toilet paper after using all of it.
- Funniest joke you’ve ever heard?
- Expect three rings when you get married; an engagement ring, a wedding ring and suffer-ring.
- Favorite local dish?
- My favorite local dish is kalua pig and laulau.